Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty) is the founding document of our nation. Through the Treaty, the Crown gained an authority to govern (in partnership with Rangatira) and the active protection of Rangatiratanga was guaranteed to Tangata Whenua. Tauiwi (residents and citizens) gained an authority to belong (Türangawaewae) in Aotearoa New Zealand and Tangata Whenua were guaranteed the same rights as British subjects. The Treaty belongs to all New Zealanders and is “the promise of two peoples to take the best possible care of each other.” (Bishop Manuhuia Bennett). The Treaty and the Constitutional conversation The Constitutional Review, a national conversation about the future of New Zealand’s constitution, provided an important opportunity to discuss the position of the Treaty in the country’s constitutional arrangements and the participation of Mäori in political decision-making. The Human Rights Commission supported iwi, hapü and whänau to engage in the conversation and its submission to the Constitutional Advisory Panel included views from Tangata Whenua. Belonging to all of us, the Treaty represents the founding of Aotearoa New Zealand. The Commission’s position is that New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements, its values, rules, institutions and practices, should flow from the Treaty. In its submission, the Commission explored what it would mean to give substantive effect to the Treaty as New Zealand’s founding document and reinforced the need to embed the Treaty partnership between the Crown and Rangatira in every aspect of the way in which Aotearoa New Zealand is governed. The Commission recommended the long-term development of a constitution based on the Treaty and developed by Treaty partners. It also recommended protection for the Treaty in New Zealand law. In its final report, the Constitutional Advisory Panel recommended that the conversation about Aotearoa New Zealand’s future constitutional arrangements should continue. It also recommended the Government develop a national education strategy to help New Zealanders learn about and discuss civic and citizenship issues, including the unique role of the Treaty. Tüi Tüi Tuituiä | Race Relations in 2013 The Commission will be looking to see how the Government responds to the Constitutional Advisory Panel’s report. Commission promotes human rights dimensions of the Treaty The Commission has a specific responsibility to promote understanding of the human rights dimensions of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In 2013, the Commission’s Te Mana i Waitangi programme worked with communities and organisations to promote discussion on human rights and the Treaty. Workshops were facilitated with councils, government departments, universities, businesses and community organisations, with participants commenting on how valuable they found it to gain a better understanding of the Treaty and what it means to New Zealanders today. The Commission also hosted a special workshop in Wellington to discuss rangatiratanga and the whakapapa of human rights. The workshop discussed strategies for ensuring the voices of Tangata Whenua are heard during international human rights processes, such as the Universal Periodic Review. In 2012, the Waitangi Tribunal released Ko Aotearoa Tënei, its report on the Wai 262 claim concerning law and policy affecting Mäori culture and identity. The report has yet to receive a response from Government. Achieving progress in the promotion and recognition of the cultural rights of Tangata Whenua continues to be a priority for the Human Rights Commission. Find out more about Human Rights and the Treaty at www.hrc.co.nz/treaty. Commission builds Treaty-based organisation The Commission asserted its commitment to being a Treaty-based organisation, during a comprehensive review of its structure and programmes. The review offered a unique chance to look at how the Treaty is reflected in the way the Commission goes about its work. In a demonstration of partnership, responsibility for Treaty issues was allocated to two Commissioners: one Tangata Whenua and one Tauiwi (non-Mäori). They will work 35